Fellows in Music Composition

Odaline de la Martínez (b. 1949, Matanzas): Martínez pursues a demanding and successful career composing – particularly opera, conducting repertoire from Mozart symphonies to the latest contemporary music, and recording CDs often with LORELT (Lontano Records) and numerous other labels. She was the first woman to conduct a BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in 1984, and has made several return visits since. She has received numerous awards including a Marshall Scholarship from the British Government and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Imoinda, Part I of her Slavery Opera Trilogy was commissioned by the Caribbean Women Writers’ Alliance with funds from the Heritage Lottery Fund. An Opera Grant from Opera America in 2015 allowed her to make the video Selected Scenes from Imoinda. The Crossing Part II her Slavery Opera Trilogy was commissioned by Tulane University and premiered in New Orleans in April 2013, while there as composer in residence, and received its UK Premiere in November 2014 at the opening concert of The Fifth London Festival of American Music. Martinez is published by Composers Edition. (CINTAS for Music Composition, 1989-90, 2016-17)